asked the Postmaster-General whether he has entered into arrangements with any British firm or firms giving privileges respecting the supply or use of wireless apparatus within the Saorstát, and, if so, will he state the nature of such arrangements; whether he is prepared to give equal privileges to makers of wireless apparatus who are citizens of, and resident in, the Saorstát; whether any discrimination has been made between wireless apparatus, or parts thereof, made in Britain and apparatus made in other countries to the advantage of British makers; and, if so, what return the British makers are giving for the preference.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - WIRELESS WITHIN THE SAORSTÁT.
The answer to the first part is in the negative, and the question of privilege does not therefore arise.
The importation and sale of wireless apparatus in whole or in parts is at present prohibited in the Saorstát, but permission has been given to certain Fete Committees to hold demonstrations in connection with the reception of wireless broadcasting. Such permission, however, has not conferred any privileges upon the firms entrusted by Fete Committees with the carrying out of the demonstrations.
I am at present in negotiation with the representatives of Irish companies on the subject of broadcasting and manufacture and sale of apparatus.
Does the Minister not reckon that a free advertisement is a privilege?
Well, I do not regard it in that light, and, as a matter of fact, I fully realise the importance of this subject, and I can assure the Deputy that before any privilege is conceded to anybody both the Government and the Dáil will have a full opportunity of discussing it.
Will the Minister give exactly the same facilities for a broadcasting demonstration to an Irish firm as have been given to the Marconi Company?
Certainly, with pleasure, but up to the present we have not had any applications from Irish firms.